Let's talk about protecting trees on private property

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Currently the City of Brantford’s Private Tree By-law (No. 119-2017) only regulates the protection of trees on identified woodlots, wetlands, and areas of natural interest. There are no protections in place for trees on most private parcels of land (including properties under development for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes).

This is important because 74% of the City’s tree canopy is located on private parcels of land (approximately 449,482 trees). In order to ensure that community members are able to enjoy a thriving tree canopy for years to come, greater protections must be put in place to prevent the unnecessary removal

Currently the City of Brantford’s Private Tree By-law (No. 119-2017) only regulates the protection of trees on identified woodlots, wetlands, and areas of natural interest. There are no protections in place for trees on most private parcels of land (including properties under development for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes).

This is important because 74% of the City’s tree canopy is located on private parcels of land (approximately 449,482 trees). In order to ensure that community members are able to enjoy a thriving tree canopy for years to come, greater protections must be put in place to prevent the unnecessary removal of existing healthy trees.

The City is currently working to repeal and replace the existing Private Tree Protection By-law to expand its protection coverage over the 74% of local trees on private properties.

We want to hear from you!

We would greatly appreciate your feedback on the recommended Private Tree Protection By-law for the City of Brantford.

To learn more and share your feedback with us, please review the options below:

Public Ward Meetings

A public meeting will take place in-person at a community centre within each Ward. An additional City-wide meeting will be hosted at City Hall where residents can participate in-person or virtually through Zoom. Register online to participate in the virtual meeting on November 22. Attending in-person does NOT require registration in advance.

Meeting LocationFormatDate and time

Woodman Park Community Centre
491 Grey Street
In-person
Friday, October 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Lions Park Arena Community Room
20 Edge Street
In-personMonday, October 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Branlyn Community Centre
238 Brantwood Park Road
In-personFriday, October 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
T.B. Costain/SC Johnson Community Centre
16 Morrell Street
In-personMonday, October 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Doug Snooks Community Centre
333 Erie Avenue
In-personFriday, October 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Brantford City Hall
58 Dalhousie Street and virtually through Zoom
Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Register to participate virtually		Wednesday, November 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Background

In 2019, the City of Brantford declared a Climate Emergency and committed to taking action reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. In 2020 and 2022 respectively, the City adopted the Corporate and Community Climate Change Action Plans that committed to tree canopy protection and expansion to sequester GHGs, mitigate the urban heat island effect, and support a more climate resilient community.

On May 1, 2023, the City Council approved City Tree Protection By-law came into effect to regulate the planting, maintenance, and protection of trees on City parcels of land. Visit Brantford.ca/treesandforestry to learn more about protections for City trees.

Do you have a question for the project team? Let us know!

Please ask any questions you may have about the Tree Protection By-law Coverage Options and a member of the project team will get back to you. 

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  • Share What's the cost of administering the bylaw? And how will this bylaw differ from other municipalities that have failed? on Facebook Share What's the cost of administering the bylaw? And how will this bylaw differ from other municipalities that have failed? on Twitter Share What's the cost of administering the bylaw? And how will this bylaw differ from other municipalities that have failed? on Linkedin Email What's the cost of administering the bylaw? And how will this bylaw differ from other municipalities that have failed? link

    What's the cost of administering the bylaw? And how will this bylaw differ from other municipalities that have failed?

    Ben O'hern asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for your question!

    The resources required to implement an enhanced private tree by-law will largely be determined based on the property types/sizes and tree sizes the final by-law will apply to. These details are still under consideration, pending receipt of community feedback. 

    The ongoing development of this by-law will incorporate lessons learned from surrounding municipalities, while responding to local concerns and priorities.

  • Share Who pays for the Certified Arborist Report on private property? on Facebook Share Who pays for the Certified Arborist Report on private property? on Twitter Share Who pays for the Certified Arborist Report on private property? on Linkedin Email Who pays for the Certified Arborist Report on private property? link

    Who pays for the Certified Arborist Report on private property?

    Inquiring minds wants to know asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for your question!

    To assess trees on private property, the property owner would pay for the Certified Arborist.

  • Share Who will be responsible for trimming tree? Who will pay? Timeliness for this to be done? What type of trees would be included: ornamental, other? Often trees do need removal for various reasons. Will we be "stuck" with this tree? If we want to cut it down does it need to be a certain height before it is part of the by-law? If we agree to replace, can we get rid of it? on Facebook Share Who will be responsible for trimming tree? Who will pay? Timeliness for this to be done? What type of trees would be included: ornamental, other? Often trees do need removal for various reasons. Will we be "stuck" with this tree? If we want to cut it down does it need to be a certain height before it is part of the by-law? If we agree to replace, can we get rid of it? on Twitter Share Who will be responsible for trimming tree? Who will pay? Timeliness for this to be done? What type of trees would be included: ornamental, other? Often trees do need removal for various reasons. Will we be "stuck" with this tree? If we want to cut it down does it need to be a certain height before it is part of the by-law? If we agree to replace, can we get rid of it? on Linkedin Email Who will be responsible for trimming tree? Who will pay? Timeliness for this to be done? What type of trees would be included: ornamental, other? Often trees do need removal for various reasons. Will we be "stuck" with this tree? If we want to cut it down does it need to be a certain height before it is part of the by-law? If we agree to replace, can we get rid of it? link

    Who will be responsible for trimming tree? Who will pay? Timeliness for this to be done? What type of trees would be included: ornamental, other? Often trees do need removal for various reasons. Will we be "stuck" with this tree? If we want to cut it down does it need to be a certain height before it is part of the by-law? If we agree to replace, can we get rid of it?

    Inez Vickerman asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for your question!

    Property owners will still be responsible for maintaining (including trimming) trees on their property. All trees that are not invasive species (as defined under the Invasive Species Act) will be covered under this by-law. The size of tree that is currently being looked at for this by-law to apply to is 20cm DBH (we welcome community feedback on this tree size applicability).

    If a tree needs to be removed because it is dead, dying, diseased, infested, or presenting a hazard (as determined through a Certified Arborist Report), permit fees will not apply. If the tree intended for removal is healthy and non-hazardous, then a permit can be applied for that will include an option for a tree replacement plan.

  • Share Will this plan consist of property owners paying more even money to the city if they need to have a tree removed? I’m a tree and nature lover. Just don’t love “money grabs.” on Facebook Share Will this plan consist of property owners paying more even money to the city if they need to have a tree removed? I’m a tree and nature lover. Just don’t love “money grabs.” on Twitter Share Will this plan consist of property owners paying more even money to the city if they need to have a tree removed? I’m a tree and nature lover. Just don’t love “money grabs.” on Linkedin Email Will this plan consist of property owners paying more even money to the city if they need to have a tree removed? I’m a tree and nature lover. Just don’t love “money grabs.” link

    Will this plan consist of property owners paying more even money to the city if they need to have a tree removed? I’m a tree and nature lover. Just don’t love “money grabs.”

    Tree Lover and Property Owner asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for your question!

    Property owners will only be required to pay for a permit if the tree in question is healthy and non-hazardous. If the tree(s) intended for removal are dead, dying, diseased, infested, or presenting a hazard, there will be no permit fee requirements.

  • Share Why is it that 74% of our tree canopy is located on private property? Why hasn’t Brantford kept up with tree replacement and enhancement on city owned land on Facebook Share Why is it that 74% of our tree canopy is located on private property? Why hasn’t Brantford kept up with tree replacement and enhancement on city owned land on Twitter Share Why is it that 74% of our tree canopy is located on private property? Why hasn’t Brantford kept up with tree replacement and enhancement on city owned land on Linkedin Email Why is it that 74% of our tree canopy is located on private property? Why hasn’t Brantford kept up with tree replacement and enhancement on city owned land link

    Why is it that 74% of our tree canopy is located on private property? Why hasn’t Brantford kept up with tree replacement and enhancement on city owned land

    Mary Lou asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for your question!

    The total potential plantable area on City-owned and managed land is only 5.16 sq.km. Not all of this land is suited to the survival of planted trees, but even if it was, we can only increase our tree canopy to a maximum of 26.9% by planting exclusively on City-owned and managed land. 

    Overall there is just more space on private property than on City property. The City will continue annual tree planting and maintenance work to increase the portion of the tree canopy located on City-owned and managed properties.

  • Share I live on a cul-de-sac and there is an grassed island with 4 trees. The city sent a letter to all 9 residents on our street in the spring advising that the city intended to remove the trees and the island. my question is WHY. I contacted our city councillor, John Sless and he advised that the island would not be removed but I still wonder why the issue was ever considered to remove the 4 trees and the island. on Facebook Share I live on a cul-de-sac and there is an grassed island with 4 trees. The city sent a letter to all 9 residents on our street in the spring advising that the city intended to remove the trees and the island. my question is WHY. I contacted our city councillor, John Sless and he advised that the island would not be removed but I still wonder why the issue was ever considered to remove the 4 trees and the island. on Twitter Share I live on a cul-de-sac and there is an grassed island with 4 trees. The city sent a letter to all 9 residents on our street in the spring advising that the city intended to remove the trees and the island. my question is WHY. I contacted our city councillor, John Sless and he advised that the island would not be removed but I still wonder why the issue was ever considered to remove the 4 trees and the island. on Linkedin Email I live on a cul-de-sac and there is an grassed island with 4 trees. The city sent a letter to all 9 residents on our street in the spring advising that the city intended to remove the trees and the island. my question is WHY. I contacted our city councillor, John Sless and he advised that the island would not be removed but I still wonder why the issue was ever considered to remove the 4 trees and the island. link

    I live on a cul-de-sac and there is an grassed island with 4 trees. The city sent a letter to all 9 residents on our street in the spring advising that the city intended to remove the trees and the island. my question is WHY. I contacted our city councillor, John Sless and he advised that the island would not be removed but I still wonder why the issue was ever considered to remove the 4 trees and the island.

    Kennyr asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for your question!

    The removal of those traffic islands inclusive of the trees located on them) was pursued in response to ongoing maintenance costs, needs for accessible parking, and greater snow clearing efficiency. This required the removal of the traffic islands (inclusive of the trees located on them). In accordance with the City Tree Protection By-law, replacement trees are replanted whenever a healthy tree must be removed for the operation and maintenance of public infrastructure.

  • Share Why doesn't the tree bylaw apply to all properties? Why only privately owned property? on Facebook Share Why doesn't the tree bylaw apply to all properties? Why only privately owned property? on Twitter Share Why doesn't the tree bylaw apply to all properties? Why only privately owned property? on Linkedin Email Why doesn't the tree bylaw apply to all properties? Why only privately owned property? link

    Why doesn't the tree bylaw apply to all properties? Why only privately owned property?

    Chestnut asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for your question!

    Private Tree By-laws can apply to a range of privately owned and managed properties, including residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional properties. 

    Regarding protections for trees on City owned and managed properties, the City of Brantford already has a City Tree By-law that applies protections to these trees. For more information about what the City Tree By-law covers, please visit: https://www.brantford.ca/en/things-to-do/trees-and-forestry.aspx

Page last updated: 10 Jan 2024, 09:08 AM